Covid Slump artwork | Pacer Graphic / Mekenzie Coleman
Over three years later, COVID-19 is still affecting the majority of the population but, more relatively, college students.
This worldwide pandemic struck everyone in March 2020 and has left a lingering effect on students referred to as the “COVID slump.” Brain fog, no motivation, forgetfulness and just all-around tiredness are a few of these symptoms.
“Some of our observations in SHCS show there is an increase in anxiety and depression with a decrease in being organized and motivated. Students are reporting having difficulty focusing and getting their work done,” said Jennifer Hart, clinical coordinator of UT Martin’s Student Health and Counseling Services.
Professors have noticed a decline in their students when it comes to turning in work on time as well as even making the effort to go to their in-person classes. Some students say that having online classes made their effort decline because they believe they became spoiled by the online lifestyle.
“I have experienced a really hard time going back to in-person classes. Being online was just so convenient to not have to get up and get ready. I could easily wake up minutes before class and grab my laptop and put on Zoom. After doing that for multiple semesters, I am still not used to being in person,” said Maggie Carkeet, a UT Martin student from Memphis, Tennessee.
Being stuck at home for weeks at a time had a significant impact on mental health. Hart said counseling has increased significantly since COVID. She added that COVID cases are decreasing and this spring semester has shown improvement by a decline in the numbers of calls and visits to Student Health and Counseling.
If you are still experiencing symptoms of the “COVID slump”, you are not alone. Taking care of your all-around well-being can kick-start getting rid of the fogginess and the increase of anxiety.
“I would say try and push oneself doing some physical activity daily to build up endurance and strength. The physical activity needs to be increased incrementally,” Hart said. “Get back to using a planner, make a written to-do list and not just a list in one’s head. Set daily goals. Being productive or achieving goals can prevent feelings of getting overwhelmed that tend to shut people down.
“The recommendations are the same when trying to manage anxiety and depression – exercise, eat balanced healthy meals, consider taking vitamins, try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule, be productive, get out of your room and not isolate, plan/organize one’s time, reach out for support from family or friends or seek counseling if it is all just too much,” Hart added.
There are plenty of different things that you can do to help begin the process of bettering yourself and getting rid of the lingering effects of COVID. Just taking care of yourself, no matter how big or small the step may be, can open a lot of new doors.
“This semester I started going to the gym to help work on my physical health, but I have also noticed an increase in my mental health. It felt like a chore at first to make myself get up and go, but now it is almost a habit, and I genuinely enjoy going every morning,” said Mireya Carrion, a UT Martin student from Clarksville, Tennessee.
The weather is slowly but surely getting better outside, so go take a walk, go play volleyball, even just go sit outside. Start going to a fitness class that the Recreation Center offers. Give yourself realistic goals for each day. Or simply make an appointment at Student Health and Counseling Services to speak to someone.
